An extension arm suitable for mounting a flat-screen electronic peripheral device, including a forearm extension having at one end a first coupling for attachment to a tilter, a platform or other means for supporting a flat-screen device and at the other end a second coupling. The extension arm also includes a pair of end caps, each having a shaft. The shaft of the first end cap is pivotably rotatable in a support mount, such as a wall, desk or pole mount. The shaft of the second end cap is pivotably rotatable in the second coupling of the forearm extension. The extension arm also includes an upper channel and a lower channel. Each channel has at opposite ends a pair of integrally cast rollers which are pivotably attached to each of the end caps. The upper and lower channels and the end caps form an adjustable parallelogram.
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1. An end cap for use in an extension arm that adjustably mounts to a device to support a mount, said end cap comprising a partially enclosed housing including a first endwall having a hole, a second endwall and at least one sidewall; a shaft connected to said second endwall extending outwardly; and a pair of shelves disposed within said partially enclosed housing adjacent to said second endwall, said pair of shelves forming a groove therebetween, wherein said partially enclosed housing is adapted to receive a rod having a first end rotationally received within said hole in said first endwall and a second end rotationally received within said groove formed by said pair of shelves adjacent said second endwall.
11. An end cap for use in an extension arm that adjustably mounts a device to a support mount, said end cap comprising a partially enclosed housing formed by a first endwall, a second endwall and at least one sidewall extending between said first and second endwalls; a shaft extending outwardly from said second endwall; a trough having a longitudinal length formed within said housing extending between said first and second endwalls; a threaded rod rotatably secured within said housing; a clevis having one portion received within said trough and another portion engaged by said rod, wherein rotation of said rod causes said clevis to move within said housing between said first and second endwalls; and at least one first stop member within said housing having a first end arranged inwardly of said first endwall and at least one second stop member within said housing having a second end arranged inwardly of said second endwall, wherein said first end of said at least one first stop member is spaced from said second end of said at least one second stop member within said housing by a distance smaller than the longitudinal length of said trough between said first and second endwalls.
19. An end cap for use in an extension arm that adjustably mounts a device to a support mount, said end cap comprising a partially enclosed housing formed by a first endwall, a second endwall and at least one sidewall extending between said first and second endwalls; a shaft extending outwardly from said second endwall; a trough having a longitudinal length formed within said housing extending between said first and second endwalls; a threaded rod rotatably secured within said housing; a clevis having one portion received within said trough and another portion engaged by said rod, wherein rotation of said rod causes said clevis to move within said housing towards said first and second endwalls; and a first pair of projections extending inwardly opposing each other from said sidewall within said housing each having a first end arranged inwardly of said first endwall, and a second pair of projections extending inwardly opposing each other from said sidewall within said housing each having a second end arranged inwardly of said second endwall, wherein said first ends of said first pair of projections are spaced from said second ends of said second pair of projections within said housing by a distance smaller than the longitudinal length of said trough.
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The present application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 10/166,419, filed Jun. 10, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,854,698, is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/405,628, filed Sep. 24, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,478,274, which claims the benefit of Application No. 60/133,378, filed on May 10, 1999, all of which are entitled “Arm Apparatus for Mounting Electronic Devices”, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
This invention relates to an arm apparatus for mounting electronic devices and a method for manufacturing the arm apparatus, and more specifically to an extension arm suitable to mount a flat-screened electronic peripheral device, such as a computer monitor or television and the method for manufacturing the extension arm.
Adjustable extension arms for mounting electronic peripheral devices, such as a computer monitor or a television, are well known in the prior art. However, due to recent advances in flat-screen technology, there is a demand for adjustable extension arms that are particularly suited for use with flat-screen devices, such as flat screen computer monitors and televisions.
Threadedly mounted on the threaded rod 38 is a clevis 48.
FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) illustrate the upper channel 14, which comprises channel bottom 60 from which extend two channel sidewalls 62. Channel bottom 60 and sidewalls 62 are typically stamped from 13 gauge steel sheet in order to give the upper channel 14 a desired degree of structural rigidity. At each of the ends of the channel bottom 60, a semi-circular region 64 of the sidewalls 62 is cut out to accommodate cold-rolled steel rollers 66, which have a hole 68 therethrough for receiving the pins 24. The rollers 66 are rigidly attached to the upper channel 14 by MIG welding along the edge of the semi-circular cut out region 64 and along the ends of the channel bottom 60.
Additionally, the upper channel 14 comprises stiffener 70, which is welded to an inner surface of the channel bottom 60. Besides providing additional structural rigidity to the upper channel 14, the stiffener 70 has a hole disposed at one end with a threaded ball stud 72 placed within the hole and fixed in place by a nut 74. The ball stud 72 is configured and sized to receive one end of the gas spring 28. The longitudinal centerline 76 of the upper channel 14 is illustrated in FIG. 4(b).
FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) illustrate the lower channel 16 which comprises a channel bottom 78 from which extend two channel sidewalls 80. As with the upper channel 14, the channel bottom 78 and sidewalls 80 are typically stamped from 13 gauge steel sheet, which is relatively heavy in order to give the lower channel 16 a desired degree of structural rigidity. At opposite ends of the channel bottom 78, a semi-circular region 82 of the sidewalls 80 is cut out to accommodate cold-rolled steel rollers 84, which have a hole 86 therethrough for receiving the pins 24. The rollers 84 are rigidly attached to the lower channel 16 by MIG welding along the edge of the semi-circular cut out region 82 and along the ends of the channel bottom 78. The longitudinal centerline 88 of the lower channel 16 is illustrated on FIG. 5(b)
Extension arms 10 of the prior art, such as the one shown in
Thus, there is a need for an extension arm suitable to mount a flat-screened electronic peripheral device, such as a computer monitor or television, that is inexpensive and easy to manufacture and assemble, and that permits a flat-screen device to be mounted substantially flush with the mounting surface.
The present invention, in accordance with one embodiment, relates to an extension arm suitable for mounting a flat-screened electronic peripheral device, such as a computer monitor or television. The extension arm is inexpensive and easy to manufacture and assemble, and permits a flat-screen device to be mounted substantially flush with a mounting surface.
According to one embodiment, the extension arm comprises a forearm extension that has at one end a first coupling for attachment to a tilter, a platform or other means for supporting a flat-screen device. At the other end of the forearm extension is a second coupling. The extension arm also comprises a pair of end caps each having an end cap shaft. The end cap shaft of the first end cap is pivotably rotatable in a support mount, such as a wall, desk or pole mount. The end cap shaft of the second end cap is pivotable rotatable in the second coupling of the forearm extension.
The extension arm also comprises an upper channel and a lower channel. The upper channel has at opposite ends a pair of integrally cast rollers. Each roller is pivotably attached to each of the end caps. The lower channel also has at opposite ends a pair of integrally cast rollers, which are pivotably attached to each end cap. The upper and lower channels and the end caps form an adjustable parallelogram. The shape of the parallelogram is retained by a gas spring. One end of the gas spring is attached to a ball stud mounted in the upper channel. The other end of the gas spring is adjustably mounted to the first end cap.
The extension arm also comprises a clevis, which is located within the first end cap. The clevis is pivotably attached to the end of the gas spring which is mounted in the first end cap. A threaded rod threadedly engages the clevis, such that the clevis slides within the first end cap when the rod rotates around its axial centerline. The threaded rod is rotatably secured within the first end cap by a retainer clip and a pair of screws.
In one embodiment of the present invention, an upper channel for use in an extension arm that adjustably mounts a device to a support mount, the upper channel comprising a U-shaped body having first and second ends, the body including a pair of spaced apart sidewalls and a bottom wall, a first roller at a first end of the body and a second roller at a second end of the body, the first roller including a pair of spaced apart roller walls extending between the sidewalls from the bottom wall, the height of the roller walls from the bottom wall being less than the height of another portion of the first roller from the bottom wall.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a lower channel for use in an extension arm that adjustably mounts a device to a support mount, the lower channel comprising a U-shaped body having first and second ends, the body including a pair of spaced apart sidewalls and a bottom wall, a first roller at a first end of the body and a second roller at a second end of the body, the first roller including a pair of spaced apart roller walls extending between the sidewalls from the bottom wall, the height of the roller walls from the bottom wall being less than the height of the remaining portion of the first roller from the bottom wall.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the combination of an upper channel and a lower channel for use in an extension arm that adjustably mounts a device to a supporting mount, the combination comprising an upper channel including a U-shaped upper body having first and second ends, the upper body including a pair of spaced apart sidewalls and a bottom wall, a first roller at a first end of the upper body and a second roller at a second end of the upper body, the first roller including a pair of spaced apart roller walls extending between the sidewalls from the bottom wall, the height of the roller walls from the bottom wall being less than the height of the remaining portion of the first roller from the bottom wall; and a lower channel including a U-shaped lower body having first and second ends, the lower body including a pair of spaced apart sidewalls and a bottom wall, a third roller at a first end of the lower body and a fourth roller at a second end of the body, the third roller including a pair of spaced apart roller walls extending between the sidewalls from the bottom wall, the height of the roller walls from the bottom wall being less to the height of the remaining portion of the third roller from the bottom wall, wherein the upper and lower body and the respective rollers are integrally cast.
The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with features, objects, and advantages thereof may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) illustrate the upper channel of an extension arm, in accordance with the prior art;
FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) illustrate the lower channel of an extension arm, in accordance with the prior art;
FIGS. 9(a)-(d) show several views of end caps, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
FIGS. 10(a)-(d) illustrate several views of an upper channel, according to one embodiment of the invention;
FIGS. 11(a)-(e) illustrate several views of a lower channel, according to one embodiment of the invention;
FIGS. 12(a) and 12(b) illustrate a forearm extension, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and
FIGS. 13(a) and 13(b) illustrate a forearm extension, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
The present invention, in accordance with one embodiment, relates to an extension arm suitable for mounting a flat-screen electronic peripheral device, such as a computer monitor or television, and the method of manufacturing the extension arm.
In the embodiment shown, the extension arm 100 comprises a first end cap 102, an upper channel 104, a lower channel 106, a second end cap 108, and a forearm extension 110. The first end cap 102 and the second end cap 108 both include a partially enclosed housing 112 and a shaft 114. The partially enclosed housing 112 of both the first and the second end caps 102, 108 is configured with, for example, holes 116 to receive a connection mechanism, such as a pin 118, therethrough. The shaft 114 of the first end cap 102 is configured to be inserted for pivotable rotation in a support mount (not shown), which may be a wall, a desk, a pole mount, or a configurable mount as shown and described in Applicant's co-pending patent applications: application No. 60/106,729 filed on Nov. 2, 1998 and application No. 60/108,469 filed on Nov. 14, 1998. The shaft 114 of the second end cap 108 is configured to be inserted for pivotable rotation in the forearm extension 110.
The partially enclosed housing 112 of the first end cap 102 also includes a clevis 120, which is pivotably attached to an end of a gas spring 122, mounted therein. A threaded rod 124 is in threaded engagement with the clevis 120, such that the clevis 120 is configured to slide within the first end cap 102 when the threaded rod 124 rotates on its axis. The threaded rod 124 is rotatably secured in the first end cap 102 by a retainer clip 126 that is attached to the first end cap 102 with, for example, screws 128.
The upper channel 104 includes a U-shaped body 130 and integrally cast rollers 132 disposed at opposite ends of the U-shaped body 130. Each of the rollers 132 is configured to be pivotably attached to a respective one of the first end cap 102 and the second end cap 108 with, for example, the pins 118. The lower channel 106 also includes a U-shaped body 134 and integrally cast rollers 136 disposed at opposite ends of the U-shaped body 134. Each of the rollers 136 is configured to be pivotably attached to a respective one of the first end cap 102 and the second end cap 108 with, for example, the pins 118.
The upper and the lower channels 104, 106 and the first and the second end caps 102, 108 are configured so as to form an adjustable parallelogram. When configured, the shaft 114 of the first end cap 102 and the shaft 114 of the second end cap 108 point in opposite directions. For example, the shaft 114 of the first end cap 102 extends vertically downward while the shaft 114 of the second end cap 108 extends vertically upward. The shape of the parallelogram is retained by the gas spring 122. One end of the gas spring 122 is attached to a ball stud 138 which is mounted to the upper channel 104. The other end of the gas spring 122 is adjustably mounted to the clevis 120 within the first end cap 102. Generally, the gas spring 122 is sized so as to have a fixed length until an upward or downward force is exerted at the second end cap 108 that exceeds the gas spring's designed resistance. Thus, the gas spring 122 retains the parallelogram shape when the only force exerted at the second end cap 108 is the weight of the flat-screen device. However, the gas spring 122 permits the parallelogram shape to be adjusted when a user pushes the flat-screen device coupled to the forearm extension 110 up or down.
The forearm extension 110 includes a body 140 having a first female coupling 142 located on a first end and a second female coupling 144 located on a second end. The first female coupling 142 is for attachment to the shaft 114 of the second end cap 108. The second female coupling 144 is for attachment to a device mounting (not shown) such as a tilter, as described in Applicant's co-pending patent application No. 60/137,088 filed on Jun. 2, 1999; a platform or other means for supporting a flat-screen device.
Additional advantages and features of the individual components, according to various embodiments of the present invention, are further described below.
End Caps 102, 108
FIG. 9(a) illustrates a side view, and FIG. 9(b) illustrates a top view of the first end cap 102 and the second end cap 108, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment shown, each of the first and second end caps 102, 108 includes the partially-enclosed housing 112 which has flat, oppositely-disposed endwalls 146 and 148 fixedly connected by a sidewall 150. The sidewall 150 extends partially around the partially-enclosed housing 112 so as to permit manipulation of components to be assembled within the first and second end caps 102, 108. In one embodiment, the endwalls 146 and 148 are semi-circular in shape and are connected along a semi-circular edge to the sidewall 150, which extends perpendicularly therebetween.
FIG. 9(a) is a side view (from the perspective of the open region of the sidewall 150), that illustrates the first and the second end caps 102, 108 having the shaft 114 disposed on the endwall 148. The shaft 114 is preferably integrally molded to the endwall 148 of each of the end caps 102, 108. Preferably the entire end caps 102, 108 (partially enclosed housings 112 and shafts 114) are molded from zinc. The endwall 146 has a hole 152 disposed therethrough. Within the partially enclosed housing 112 and integrally molded on the sidewall 150 adjacent the endwalls 146, 148 are first and second pair of spaced apart projections such as stops 156. The stops 156 serve to stop upward or downward movement of the extension arm 100 when ends of the lower channel 106 and the upper channel 104, respectively, meet the stops 156 when the extension arm 100 is in extended positions.
Also within the partially-enclosed housing 112, and integrally molded to the inner surface of the sidewall 150 are trough walls 158 which run longitudinally along the inner surface of the sidewall 150 between the endwalls 146 and 148 so as to define a trough 160 therebetween. FIG. 9(b) illustrates a side view of the trough 160 disposed between the trough walls 158.
Additionally within the partially enclosed housing 112 and integrally molded with the inner surface of the sidewall 150, and proximate the endwall 148, are shelves 162. FIG. 9(b) illustrates a side view of the shelves 162 which define co-planar faces separated by a groove 164. The shelves 162 have a connection means, such as self-tapping screw holes 154 disposed therein. The co-planar faces of the shelves 162 are configured to engage the retainer clip 126, which is fastened in place by, for example, the pair of screws 128. When the retainer clip 126 is fastened in place, the groove 164 defines a spacing for accepting one end of the threaded rod 124, as discussed below.
The first end cap 102 and the second end cap 108 are identical at this point. However, while the manufacturing of the second end cap 108 is complete, the first end cap 102 still requires assembly of the threaded rod 124 and the clevis 120. The threaded rod 124 is employed within the first end cap 102 so as to adjustably support the clevis 120. FIG. 9(c) illustrates the threaded rod 124 in greater detail. A first end 166 has a circular cross-section within which is axially disposed a shaped opening 168, for example a hex-shaped opening, for accepting a shaped key (not shown), such as a hex-shaped key. Advantageously, a cross-sectional diameter of the first end 166 is smaller than a cross-sectional diameter of the hole 152, so as to be inserted therein. Adjacent the first end 166 is a shoulder 170. Advantageously, the shoulder 170 has a circular cross-section having a diameter that is larger than the cross-sectional diameter of the hole 152. Thus, in the preferred embodiment, the shoulder 170 abuts an inner surface of the endwall 146 and retains the first end 166 within the hole 152.
The threaded rod 124 also includes a threaded section 172 which is configured to threadingly engage the clevis 120. The second end 174 of the threaded rod 124 is disposed in the groove 164 located between the shelves 162 of the first end cap 102. Preferably, the second end 174 of the threaded rod 124 has a circular cross-section having a diameter that is smaller than the size of the groove 164, such that the second end 174 is supported between the shelves 162 but is free to rotate therein.
As previously mentioned, threadedly mounted on the threaded rod 124 is the clevis 120. The clevis 120 as illustrated in FIG. 9(d), has a tapped hole 176 formed therein for receiving the threaded rod 124. The clevis 120 also has a fastening member 178 at a first end, which is fastened to one end of the gas spring 122. The second end of the clevis 120 is configured to slidably engage the trough 160.
When the first end 166 of the threaded rod 124 is engaged by the shaped key, the shaped key is employed so as to rotate the threaded rod 124 around its axial centerline. When the threaded rod 124 is rotated around this axis of rotation, the clevis 120 moves along the length of the threaded rod 124 in a direction that corresponds to the direction which the hex-shaped key is turned. This movement of the clevis 120 permits the gas spring 122 to be adjusted.
The end caps 102, 108 have numerous manufacturing advantages over the end caps 12, 18 of the prior art, and others like it. Unlike the prior art end caps 12, 18 which are different from each other, the end caps 102, 108 are advantageously manufactured the same way. The threaded rod assembly 124 and the clevis 120 of the first end cap 102 are subsequently assembled in the first end cap 102. Thus, the cost of manufacturing two different kinds of end caps are eliminated.
Moreover, the cost of manufacturing each end cap 102, 108 is reduced significantly. In the prior art, a significant part of the cost of the first end cap 12 is the steel shaft 22, which is machined separately, and then is inserted into the aluminum cast mold. By contrast, the shaft 114 is integrally molded with the end caps 102, 108 by employing interlocking mold technology. Interlocking molds permit a near-perfect mold to be made, minimizing the machining that is required to insure that the shaft 114 is not out-of-round. By minimizing the amount of machining that is required to be performed on the shaft 114, the use of interlocking molds insures that the strength of the casting, which is primarily located in the skin of the cast, is maximized.
As previously mentioned, all the components of the end caps 102, 108 are preferably cast molded from zinc, though the present invention is not limited in scope in this respect. Using zinc for the partially enclosed housings 112 is an improvement over the aluminum end caps 12, 18 employed in the prior art. That is, the zinc is stronger and more flexible than the aluminum.
The first end cap 102 also has numerous assembly advantages over the first end cap 12 of the prior art, and others like it. For instance, the assembly time required to rotatably fasten the threaded rod 124 in the first end cap 102 is greatly reduced. In order to assemble the threaded rod 124 of the present invention, the first end 166 is inserted into the hole 152 until the shoulder 170 abuts the inner surface of the endwall 146. The second end 174 of the threaded rod 124 is then positioned in the groove 164 between the shelves 162. The second end 174 is held in place by the retainer clip 126 which is fastened in place by, for example, the screws 128, which are easily accessible due to their proximity above the threaded rod 124. The first end 166 of the threaded rod 124 is perfectly aligned with the hole 152, and will remain so, because it is inserted for rotation therein.
By contrast, the assembly of the threaded rod 38 in the first end cap 12 of the prior art is more complicated, and therefore, more costly. For example, the first end 40 is inserted into the hole 32 in the base of the end cap shaft 22. Next, the clevis 48 is mounted on the rod 38, and then the second end 42 is fastened inside the first end cap 12 by the clip 44. The clip 44 is also employed to align the second end 42 relative to the hole 36. Thus, the clip 44 must be fastened inside the first end cap 12 with precision, so as to insure that the second end 42 is aligned relative to the hole 36 such that the second end 42 can be engaged by a hex-shaped key which is inserted into the hole 36. Moreover, the screws 46 which are employed to the fasten clip 44 inside the first end cap 12 are difficult to access due to their position underneath the rod 38, thus complicating the process of aligning the second end 42 with the hole 36. In addition, the fastening of the clip 44 inside the first end cap 12 is also rendered more difficult because the clevis 48 is already attached to the gas spring 28.
Unlike the prior art, the current invention does not require a forearm extension pin 92 to connect the second end cap 18 to the forearm extension 20. Moreover, the pin 96 is not required to hold the forearm extension pin 92 within the second end cap 18. Instead, the current invention uses the shaft 114 of the second end cap 108 to connect the second end cap 108 to the forearm extension 110. Thus, manufacturing costs can be reduced since there in no need to manufacture the forearm extension pin 92 or the pin 96, and there is no reason to form the hole 94 within the second end cap 18 or the hole 98 within the forearm extension pin 92 to accept the pin 96.
Upper Channel 104
The upper channel 104 has numerous manufacturing advantages over the upper channel 14 of the prior art, and others like it. For instance, with reference to the upper channel 14 of the prior art shown in
Additionally, with further reference to
In additional disadvantage of welding the rollers 66 to the upper channel 14 is that the heat produced by welding the rollers 66 to the upper channel 14 may cause the upper channel 14 to curl or deform. If this occurs, alignment of the rollers 66 is ruined and the upper channel 14 is rendered useless, requiring it to be discarded. By eliminating any welding required during the manufacture of the upper channel 104, the likelihood of heat-deforming the upper channel 2-04 is also eliminated and materials are not wasted.
As previously mentioned, the prior art upper channel 14 is made of steel, which means that the upper channel 14 is formed by heating a piece of steel and bending the steel to form the channel bottom 60 arid the sidewalls 62. Thus, precise manufacturing is required to ensure the sidewalls 62 extend up from the channel bottom 60 at 90 degree angles. If the angle is slightly off it will likely cause the upper channel 14 and the lower channel 16 to scrape against one another. The use of cast molding in the current invention ensures the angle between the channel bottom 180 and the sidewalls 182 is exactly the same each and every time. Thus, the likelihood of scraping is greatly reduced, if not eliminated.
Moreover, as illustrated in
Additionally, the upper channel 104 eliminates the requirement for the stiffener 70, which, with reference to
Moreover, additional assembly steps are saved by integrally casting the threaded hole 186 in the upper channel 104 of the current invention. For instance, the prior art upper channel 14 has the threaded ball stud 72 penetrate a hole disposed in the stiffener 70 and is fixed in place by the nut 74. In order to install the bail˜1 stud 72, it is required that the threaded end of ball, stud 72 be inserted through the hole in the stiffener 70 and be fixed in place by the nut 74 prior to the stiffener 70 being welded in place. No such assembly is required with the upper channel 104 of the present invention.
An additional problem experienced by prior art upper channels 14 is the need to mask openings, such as the holes 68 in the rollers 66 that receive the pins 28 therethrough, when the upper channel is painted or otherwise coated. Specifically, labor is required in order to insert masking material into the openings and then to remove the masking material after the paint has been applied. By contrast, the openings of the present invention are according to one embodiment, precision-drilled after an application of paint or other coatings, thus eliminating the expense of masking any openings.
Lower Channel 106
The lower channel 106 has numerous manufacturing advantages over the lower channel 16 of the prior art, and other like it. For instance, as described above with reference to the upper channel 104, the rollers 136 of the lower channel 106 of the present invention are integrally cast so as to insure that the axial centerlines of the rollers 136 are perfectly parallel to each other, and that the axial centerlines of the rollers 136 are perfectly perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline 200 of the channel bottom 2-90. Thus, the need for precision alignment of the rollers 84 prior to welding to the lower channel 16 is eliminated.
Additionally, and as also described with reference to the upper channel 104, the rollers 136 of the lower channel 106 are integrally cast so no welding is required. Thus, the cost of performing the welding and the cost of testing the rollers to determine if they are a suitable welding material is eliminated. Another advantage of eliminating the need for welding the rollers 136 to the lower channel 106 is reducing the likelihood of heat-deforming the lower channel 106 so that materials are not wasted.
As shown in
As illustrated in
Forearm Extension 110
With reference to
A bushing 210 (
The female coupling 144 has an inner diameter 218 that is sized to rotatably engage a shaft of a device mount, such as a tilter, platform or other device used to secure flat-screen devices. A bushing 220 (FIG. 8), preferably made of a smooth material such as plastic, is placed over the shaft and within the female coupling 144. The female coupling 144 preferably has a set screw 222 formed within a wall 224 of the female coupling 144. When the set screw 222 is tightened it causes the bushing 220 to flex inward and frictionally engage the shaft and thus prevent the device mount from rotating around the female coupling 144. Advantageously, the female coupling 144 also has a plurality of voids 226 formed in the wall 224.
Extension Arm 100
In addition to improvements in manufacturing and assembly, the present invention also offers a functional interchangeability which is not present in the prior art. For instance, several forearm extensions 110 and/or extension arms 100 can be connected end-to-end to provide additional extension length or additional adjustability.
A dual purpose of flat-screen devices is to minimize the amount of space which they occupy while simultaneously being aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Thus, it is desirable that an extension arm for a flat-screen device be able to be mounted substantially flat to its mounting surface while hiding the extension arm behind it. The present invention permits a flat-screen device which is mounted to a wall to be flattened against the wall while hiding the extension arm 100 within the shadow of the device.
The prior art extension arms 10 did not allow this functionality. Referring to
By contrast, the upper and the lower channels 104, 106 of the present invention do not interfere with the rotation of the forearm extension 110. That is, the forearm extension 110 may be folded into a position which is directly above the upper and the lower channels 104, 106. As a result, the mounted device is flush to the mounting surface and substantially hides the parallelogram, formed by the first and the second end caps 102, 108 and the upper and the lower channels 104, 106, as well as the forearm extension 110 from view. Thus, the aesthetic appeal of the extension arm 100 is increased and the space occupied by the extension arm 100 and the device is minimized.
While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes or equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes that fall within the true spirit of the invention.
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Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
Nov 27 2002 | Innovative Office Products, Inc. | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / | |||
Sep 09 2013 | INNOVATIVE OFFICE PRODUCTS, INC | Innovative Office Products, LLC | MERGER SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 032404 | /0126 | |
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